Georgia student journalists walk out over content control. Are there lessons for scholastic journalists as well?

Student editors at the Red & Black, independent student newspaper of the University of Georgia, resigned this week to protest what they called concerns about the loss of student’s editorial authority. Might their situations be similar to scholastic media where advisers or administrators make decisions and dictate direction?

Without trying to dictate the direction of discussions and possible actions, I assembled a Storify document with some information about the situation.

If anything, the details of the student resignation and walkout can be precursors to discussions that could – and should – take place next year about the educational and social value of 25 years of student expression and eecision-making following the Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier U.S. Supreme Court decision.

As you start classes this week and next, take time to work with students to consider the past, present and future roles of student media and how to make them better not only for students involved and not, but also for our democracy. The Red & Black situation and others bring real-life impact to that discussion.